How would you set up a 308 Winchester?

I'm going to do a semi custom build 308 win. How would you set it up to get the most range on elk size game. This rifle will mainly be used for practice, but I want to use it to back up my 7mm wsm. I don't mind some weight, say in the range of 12-13lbs all up. Looking for barrel weight, twist, length, bullet weight, type, and stock ideas. After your input, what would you think the max range on a bull elk would be?

there is a guy on 24hourcampfire; ( scenarshooter); he kills a lot of stuff with his three 308's . i know he shoots a 155 scenar with a lot of varget. not sure spec on his rifles. my guess is an 11 twist krieger on a rem 700. mcmiln stock.

My guess would be most guys here would rate the 308 win as a 500 yard elk gun but thats just a guess. I would build it light, its a 308 recoil is non exsistant. Manners MCST 1-10 twist 26" barrel with a meduim contour.

I love the 308, but I would not consider it a 500yd elk gun. The bullet may have great reach in human combat, target shooting and such; but an elk is a trophy large game animal. At 400yd, most 308s decrease power to around 1000ft/lbs. It has a nice diameter, accuracy, and recoil, but I would consider it a 400yd max whitetail gun. I have not had a chance or the financial resources to do my first elk hunt, but I would guess that you would want more power which might bring it down to a 300yd gun.

I own a 26" savage with choate stock 308, a 308 AR-10 (R-25), and a 308 savage edge/axis. The round is great.

Keep in mind that this particular 308 had a Remington factory 1:12 twist barrel so it could not handle the heavier bullets. Read the thread all the way to the end and you will find it was morphed into a 260. It is an upgraded version from the 308. Both of these rifles are configured how I would set up the rifle you are wanting to build.

This is not accurate at all. Run the numbers on a 175 SMk loaded to a modest 2650 fps and it will hold a thousand lbs energy to 700 yds.

I have to disagree with trebark too on this one. (I usually dont) I have not fired the 208 amax or 210 VLD's, but for the little case of the .308, it is my opinion that a 180 is about tops for the little dude. I'm shooting a 1:10 twist and it puts 175's in the same hole.

I do agree that for elk, 400 is about all I would ask for out of the 308. I think a partition bullet may be better served for elk than an SMK, amax or VLD.

Just my opinion, and I know elk have been killed by less. Guns are kinda like race cars, there's no replacement for displacement.

I have to disagree with trebark too on this one. (I usually dont) I have not fired the 208 amax or 210 VLD's, but for the little case of the .308, it is my opinion that a 180 is about tops for the little dude. I'm shooting a 1:10 twist and it puts 175's in the same hole.

The basis for my statement on the use of the 208Amax and 210VLD in the 308 is from actual experience. A good friend uses RL17 and a 28", 1:11 twist barrel, to push the Amax and VLD at 2800fps.

Run the numbers on that and you will find that it carries 1480lbs (elk killing energy) to 800 yards and 1160lbs (deer killing energy) to 1000yards.

If you're running a factory 26" barrel, you would see a velocity loss of ~75fps (both for shorter barrel and generally factory barrels are slower than custom).

So to be even more conservative, run the numbers with 2700fps and you get...1537lbs at 700 and 1066lbs at 1000 yards.

Also, please keep in mind that although the round might have the capability to kill elk and deer at these ranges, the shooter needs to have the skills and confidence for shooting anything at these distances.